Thermometer-casing.



Patented J an. 25, 1916.

C. M. DOLAND.

THERMOMETER CASING.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE 9. 1914.

CHARLES M. DOLAND, 0F SPONE, WASHINGTON.

THERMOMETER-CASING.

Specification of Letterslatent.

Patented dan. 25, gf.

Application filed .Tune 9, 1914. -Serial No. 844,009.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES M. DOLAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Spokane, in the county `of Spokane and State of 1Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in rthermometer-Casings, specication.

This invention relates to improvements in thermometer easings. f

Practising physicians in making a number vof calls are now required to carry with them a number of thermometers by reason of the fact that it is necessary to thoroughly disinfect a thermometer after the temperature of a patient has been taken.

It 1s one of the objects of this invention to provide a casing structure wherein lthe thermometerv may be projected and withdrawn and thoroughly disinfected after it has once been used, so that it can be again used for the next patient, thereby avoiding the necessity of carryinga number of thermometers. v

In the most preferred embodiment of the invention the same includes an outer casing in which a wick-like thermometer container is adapted to be inserted after being impregnated with a disinfectant suchfor instance as formaldehyde.' The casing itself may in addition be supplied with a disinfectant so that the wick container may be maintained in a saturated condition by capillary attraction. It is contemplated that by merely inserting and withdrawing the thermometer into and from the container, that-the surface of the thermometer will be thoroughly disinfected.

The invention also relates to an improved and novel form of container whichvin-` the most preferred construction-hase cross section less than the cross section of the thermometer so that the latter will not only expand the container but will serve to compress the texturel of the container against the casing in such a manner as to cause a seeping discharge of the liquid from the texture of the container onto the4 peripheral surface of the thermometer. l

Other features of novelty will be more fully described in connection -with the raccompanying drawing and will be more particularly pointed outfin and by the appended v claims.

In the drawing z-Figure 1, 1s avlew 1n elevation of my improved contamer deof which the following is a tached from tle casing. Fig. 2, isa sectlonal view of my improved casingwith the container and thermometer therein. Fig. 3, 1s an enlarged vertical sectional view of the mouth or intake end of the container.

Like characters of reference designate similar parts throughout the different iigures of the drawing.

As illustrated, 1 designates an imperferate casing which may be formed of anv desired material and which is preferably longer than the thermometer to'be inserted section'but near its open end the casing is enlarged, as indicated at 2, and with a view of forming a shoulder 3,' the purpose of which will presently appear. I may, if desired, interiorly thread the open end 2, as clearly shown 1n Fig. 2 of the drawing. A cap 4 may be provided having a cross section complemental with respect to the cross section of the casing 1, and I have shown the cap provided with an annular bead 5 adapted to abut against the open end 2.so as to limit projection of the end 6 of the cap into the open end 2 of the casing l. In the present construction, I exteriorly thread the end 6 of the cap for engagement with the interior threads of the end 2 of the casing and I reduce the length of the end 6 of the cap so that when the4 latter is turned into a full closing position, the margin of the end 6 of the cap will not extend to the shoulder 3, a space being provided the function of which will presently appear. In the interior of the cap. 4 I dispose a wadding 7, for engagement with the end of the thermometer 8.

A container 9 ofwick-like material is provided for insertion into the casing 1 and the normal cross section of the container 9 will be considerably' reduced With respect to the interior cross section of the casing 1 to permit of readily inserting thecontainer into the casing.v The container 9 is an open ended tubular body and I provide at the intake end of the container a ferrule 10 which is of U-shaped cross section with the U-flanges l1 folded over the margin of the intake end of the tube 9. 'lhediameter of Athe ferrule 10 is greater than the normal ldiameter of the tube container 9 so as to spread or Hare the intake end ofthe containerhto hold the same open for insertion of the thermometer 8, and for the further reatherein. Throughout the major portion of its length, thecasing 1 is of uniform cross son thatI by increasing the diameter of thev cross section with -respect to the cross sec ltion of the casing 1, but also as regards the cross section of the thermometer 8 in such a manner that when the thermometer 8 is inserted into the container 9, as shown in Fig. 2, the container will not only be expanded from its normal size but will be compressed against the wall of the casing 1 so as to cause seeping discharge of the liquid or disinfectant with which the container has been impregnated, onto the surface of the thermometer so as to disinfect the latter.

In order to accommodate the container for thermometers of vdifferent lengths, I provide means for adjustably closing the normally closedyend of the container so as to limit projection of the thermometer therein and therebyv always insure al sufficient length of projection of the base end of the thermometer 12, from the casing 1, 'so that the thermometer can be readily grasped and be withdrawn from the case 1.

As illustrated, I close the lower end ofthe container 9 by means of thread or other binding material 13 which maybe disposed about the tubular container 9 at such a distance as to prevent the reduced end 14 of the thermometer 8 from passing downwardly into the container 9 beyond a predetermined extent.

In use, the `container may be withdrawn from the casing'and dipped into a suitable disinfectant so as to saturate the container, and then the latter will be inserted into the casing 1. Ordinarily, by inserting and then withdrawing the-thermometer into and from the container, the thermometer will be thoroughly disinfected. If desired, however, the thermometer can be inserted and permitted to remain in the container for prolonged vcontact with the disinfectant with which the container is saturated. The casing 1 may, if desired, contain a quantity of disinfectant liquid in the space afforded. at 15, and the gathered and closed end 16 acts as a collecting reservoir to promote capillary 1 attraction upwardly in the container, provides for a more effective capillary attraction and reduction of the container and also serves -to provide a space in which liquid canbe disposed without unduly lengthening or enlarging the casing 1.

By suitably shortening the end6 of the cap 4, I provide suiclent ntervemng space to accommodate the `'ferrule 10 so that the latter will be rigidly and securely clamped in placev upon the shoulder 3 when the cap 4 is turned into position.

- By reason of the fact that the container.

9 substantially completely envelops the thermometer `8, ample protection is aiforded against breakage of the latter and I am also enabled to use. a relatively cheaply constructed casing 1, the container being eco-- 'a wick-like thermometer container in said casing having originally open ends, means having an, open end, anda wick-like thermometer container of originally reduced' cross section Vwith respect to the interior cross section of saidcasing, and a ferrule secured to theopen end of said casing and having an interior cross sectionI exceeding thev cross section of the thermometer to be used and connected with the container to flare the mouth thereof outwardly'from the normal cross section of the contamer, substantially as described.A

3. In a thermometer structure, a casing having an open enlarged end andprovided with an interior shoulder disposed inwardly withrespectA to the marginal edge of said open end and said open end bein-g threaded for a portion ofits length. toward said shoulder, a wick-like container of originally reduced cross section with respect to the interior cross section ofthe casing, a ferrule adapted to seat on the shoulder of the open end ofsaid casing and having an interior cross section exceeding the cross section. of

' the thermometer Ato be used and connected with the container to flare the mouth thereof outwardly, and a cap having interior threaded connection with the openend of said casing and extending downwardly therein for engagement withA said -ferrule to seat the -saine upon said shoulder, substantially as described. v

4. In a thermometer structure, a casing' to a predetermined position therein, and

adjustable means for gathering and closing the lower end of the container to neutralize.

the shock of and limit projection of thermometer therein and insure projection of a portion of the thermometer from the open end of the casing When the thermometer is fully inserted into the container, said gathered end acting` as a reservoir to collect and hold the disinfectant and promote capillary attraction upwardly in said container, substantially as described.

` In testimony whereof I affix my signature 20 in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES M. DOLAND.

l/Vitnesses HAROLD SOANTLEBURY, EDNA BRoYLns. 

